Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2007; 55(7): 463-465
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-955963
Short Communications

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Pancoast Syndrome Caused by Metastasis to the Superior Mediastinum of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

J.-J. Hung1 , S.-C. Lin2 , W.-H. Hsu1
  • 1Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
  • 2Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
Further Information

Publication History

Received October 27, 2006

Publication Date:
28 September 2007 (online)

Introduction

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary tumor of the liver. HCC accounts for approximately 13 % of new cancer cases in Taiwan per year [[1]]. In 2004, its annual mortality rate was about 19.4 % of all cancer-related deaths in Taiwan [[1]]. The most common etiologic factor is cirrhosis secondary to hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections. HCC is a highly malignant tumor, and patients usually have a poor prognosis. This report presents an unusual metastasis of HCC to the superior mediastinum causing Pancoast syndrome. Permanent loss of neurological function is possible if the diagnosis of paraspinal metastasis is delayed.

References

  • 1 Health Annual Statistics Report 2004. Bureau of Health Promotion, Department of Health, The Executive Yuan. Taiwan; 2004
  • 2 Katyal S, Oliver J H, Peterson M S, Ferris J V, Carr B S, Baron R L. Extrahepatic metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma.  Radiology. 2000;  216 698-703
  • 3 Natsuizaka M, Omura T, Akaike T. et al . Clinical features of hepatocellular carcinoma with extrahepatic metastases.  J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2005;  20 1781-1787
  • 4 Yamashita R, Takahashi M, Kosugi M, Kobayashi C, Annen Y. A case of metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma of the superior mediastinum.  Nippon Kyobu Geka Gakkai Zasshi. 1993;  41 709-713
  • 5 Byrd Jr R P, Roy T M, Korfhage L G, Fields C L. Hepatocellular carcinoma presenting as a mediastinal mass.  J Ky Med Assoc. 1994;  92 260-262

Dr. Wen-Hu Hsu

Divison of Thoracic Surgery
Department of Surgery
Taipei Veterans General Hospital

No. 201, Sec. 2, Shih-Pai Road

112 Taipei

Taiwan, Republic of China

Fax: + 886 (2) 28 74 16 58

Email: whhsu@vghtpe.gov.tw

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